August State & Regional Updates
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what's going on in your state and regional associations.
This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues in Rhode Island, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington, South Carolina, and the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA).
Jennifer Burke, president of RIASFAA (Rhode Island), shared that the association closed out the 2024-2025 year with a successful year-end gathering in June, where the association celebrated leadership transitions and honored the dedication of several outstanding members.
At the gathering, Matt Davis of Brown University passed the gavel to Jennifer Burke of Rhode Island College, who will serve as RIASFAA President for the 2025-2026 year. Matt presented the President's Recognition for Service to the Association Award to the 2024-2025 Executive Board in appreciation of their dedication and leadership. Honorees at the gathering included Kelly Morrissey, Allen Cowett, Natalie Wong, Jennifer Burke, and Brock Walsh.
Jennifer adds that the association expresses deep appreciation to outgoing Past President Kelly Morrissey for her extraordinary service. Kelly served in the presidency role for two years, and her leadership has had a lasting impact on RIASFAA, Jennifer writes.
Natalie Wong was honored with the RIASFAA Outstanding Volunteer Award for her exceptional contributions throughout the year. Jennifer also gives a special thanks to Melissa Donahue of the Rhode Island School of Design for her continued advocacy work on behalf of students, institutions, and the profession.
Additionally, elections for the 2025-2026 Executive Board were held in June. Natalie Wong of Salve Regina University will serve as president-elect, Francesca Savella of Brown University will serve as vice president, Kaylee Luchka of Rhode Island College will serve as secretary, and Brock Walsh of Salve Regina University will continue as treasurer. "The new board is energized and ready to build on the strong foundation laid by past leadership," Jennifer writes.
Chelley Jackson, president of ILASFAA (Illinois), shares that summer has been a busy season for the association. The association held a board retreat at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, Illinois, which provided a great space for collaboration, fresh ideas, and team building. The association is also working on updating its strategic plan to guide the future of our association, Chelley writes.
Elizabeth Crye, public relations chair for TASFAA (Tennessee), shares that the association held its annual transition meeting and first 2025-26 board meeting on July 10-11 under the leadership of April Wolford, TASFAA's president.
Melanie Ruiz, president of WFAA (Washington), shares that the 2025 WFAA Conference Committee has been hard at work preparing an amazing conference agenda, with speakers from NASFAA and Federal Student Aid. The conference is on October 22-24 in Tacoma, Washington. Also, in partnership with WASFAA, the association is offering NASFAA FAAC® credential training.
James Kellam, past president of SCASFAA (South Carolina), shares that the association held its annual transition meeting in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on June 16-17. The transition meeting was very successful, James writes, and Regina Haley Smith will serve as the association president for 2025-26.
Ken Ferreira, president of EASFAA, shares that July has been a busy month for the association. The association voted in favor of codifying the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belongingness Committee (DEIB) as the sixth standing committee of the association.
Additionally, the Regional Council had its annual retreat at the Hilton Harborside Hotel in Philadelphia, which will be the site of the 2026 EASFAA 60th Anniversary Conference. Ken writes that the Regional Council worked hard at establishing milestone goals and crafted action plans to bring those milestone goals to life by the close of the 2025-26 council year.
Ken also shares that a focus for the association this year is "360 degrees of Communication," which includes a video series that will be built into a year-long communications plan. An inaugural video sharing the news of the DEIB committee was sent out to the membership, he notes.
Ken adds that EASFAA was mentioned twice in Inside Higher Ed regarding Congress' budget reconciliation bill, further elevating the association's advocacy work and commitment to students.
Check back next month to see what your colleagues are doing across the country, and check out your colleagues' updates from previous months!
Publication Date: 8/12/2025
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